For the price, the LSI seems like a sweet deal. They are on sale online for like $110 right now with $5 shipping. I don't need a 5 weight but getting a 6 for streamers at that price might not be bad. I did cast the LSI 5 weight outside of the store and it does load nicely but has delicate tip.

The LSi casts very well and I was close to pulling the trigger on an 11' 7wt but I am now going into another direction. I have been told on a few occasions that although tougher than the LST's they are still brittle hence why they are always on sale.

Had the LSI, FT+, PT+ and old fish eagle im6. All broke except the pt+ which I returned (wish it would have snapped). The ft might have been my favorite but it was discontinued. The LSI was a close second but did have problems. The lst is to be better / brittle issues addressed. I am not aware of any l-tech problems. Did you cast one? I didn't but was told its similar to a z-axis in action. Looks nice and reel seat is unusual. Take your reel and make sure it fits. For some reason it sticks in my mind that theres a model that won't hold a lamson reel or something like that.

Like Krayfish mentioned, take your reel with you. I casted the 8wt L-Tech and was impressed with it however my Ross Evo LT did not fit the reel seat. None of the USA made reels at the store fit either. The WLX fit perfect.